Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) is the recipient of Ball State University’s 2026 Community Engagement for the Arts Grant.
The annual competitive grant was created in 2022 to demonstrate Ball State’s commitment to community engagement through the arts beyond its campus. The grant awards $35,000 over 12 months to an East Central Indiana arts-focused organization or program. The funding is intended to support initiatives across creative fields that promote public awareness and appreciation of the arts.
“It is rewarding to see the impact this grant can have in East Central Indiana by supporting arts enrichment programs and experiences in partnership with community organizations,” said Dr. Stephanie Simon-Dack, vice provost for research at Ball State and a member of the Community Engagement for the Arts selection committee. “This year, we are pleased to support a meaningful initiative so close to home.”
MuncieArts, formed in 2011, champions arts and culture experiences, public art, and a thriving community of artists and allies in Muncie.
“Receiving the Community Engagement for the Arts Grant is incredibly meaningful for MuncieArts because it allows us to bring a bold community vision to life through Art for the People: A Historic House Reimagined as Public Art,” said Tania Said, executive director of MuncieArts.
“This project, in partnership with the Delaware County Historical Society, represents everything we value—public art, creativity, education, and community participation,” Ms. Said continued. “We are honored that this grant recognizes the importance of investing in projects that transform public spaces while creating opportunities for residents to engage directly with the arts. This support also reflects confidence in MuncieArts’ ability to successfully manage impactful public art initiatives.”
Grant funding will support each phase of Art for the People: A Historic House Reimagined as Public Art. The majority of the investment, according to Ms. Said, will be used to engage a professional artist and provide stipends to finalists who develop concepts inspired by community input. Additional funds raised will support the preparation and restoration of a historic building, ensuring the site is safe, accessible, and ready to serve as a canvas for large-scale public artwork.
Ms. Said added that the project also includes a significant educational component through the purchase and distribution of 1,000 copies of The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. The book encourages creativity, individuality, and community identity. Outreach efforts will support broad public participation throughout the artist selection process, community engagement activities, and final unveiling celebration.
Since its inception in 2022, the Community Engagement for the Arts Grant has supported organizations across Indiana. Arts Place in Portland was the inaugural recipient, followed by Hoosier Shakespeare Festival in 2023, Marion Community School of the Arts in 2024, and Richmond Civic Theatre in 2025.
Ball State’s
Office of Community Engagement (OCE) builds bridges between the University and communities beyond campus, with a priority on Muncie, Delaware County, and East Central Indiana. For more information, visit OCE’s website, call 765-285-2773, or email
oce@bsu.edu.